Treatment and Long-Term Outcomes of Children with Co-Occurring Childhood Apraxia of Speech and Velopharyngeal Dysfunction

A retrospective review of multidisciplinary velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) Clinic records from 2010 to 2024 was completed. Inclusion criteria for the review were diagnosis of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and documented evaluation for velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). Adequacy of velopharyngeal closure and perceptual judgment of resonance were identified as primary outcome measures. Surgical interventions and speech outcomes were also described. This review identified 74 children who were diagnosed with CAS and evaluated for VPD in the VPI Clinic. For the subset (n = 50) of children who had surgical intervention, speech therapy, and long-term follow-up, all had improved velopharyngeal closure and resonance.